Mahila cops to keep vigil during Navratri festival

In a move to step up its security during Navratri, the city police have extended the duty hours from 9 pm to 1 pm. Sleuths of local police and Mahila crime branch will be deployed across the city to maintain peace. The cops have created three teams which will closely monitor the 58 garba venues during the nine-day festival.

In order to avoid traffic snarls, at least across the main city arteries, the cops will also deploy teams outside the venues.

As per Mahila crime branch officials, around three teams of Mahila police officers have been formed, who will be traditionally dressed during celebrations. The cops will also keep a special watch with CCTV footage to prevent any harassment of women. Besides, the cops in uniform will also be deployed across all venues.

Panna Mommaya, ACP Mahila Crime branch, said, "The teams will be deployed in both western and eastern parts of the city. For safety of women, our officials will be deployed across major garba venues. The woman officers will also be present at different venues for immediate assistance."

Restriction on heavy vehicles

In order to maintain a smooth vehicular movement during the nine-day festival, the traffic police department has issued a notification to band heavy vehicles on SG Highway. The vehicles will be diverted to alternate routes between 11 pm to 3 am to avoid any congestion. Around 14 towing trucks will be deployed outside major Garba venues to clear the vehicles which will be parked on the roads and creating congestion. At the major crossroads, more traffic personals will be deployed to maintain the traffic movement.